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  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Fungi, bacteria and soil pH: the oxalate–carbonate pathway as a model for metabolic interaction
    The oxalate–carbonate pathway involves the oxidation of calcium oxalate to low-magnesium calcite and represents a potential long-term terrestrial sink for atmospheric CO2. In this pathway, bacterial oxalate degradation is associated with a strong local alkalinization and subsequent carbonate precipitation. In order to test whether this process occurs in soil, the role of bacteria, fungi and calcium oxalate amendments was studied using microcosms. In a model system with sterile soil amended with laboratory cultures of oxalotrophic bacteria and fungi, the addition of calcium oxalate induced a distinct pH shift and led to the final precipitation of calcite. However, the simultaneous presence of bacteria and fungi was essential to drive this pH shift. Growth of both oxalotrophic bacteria and fungi was confirmed by qPCR on the frc (oxalotrophic bacteria) and 16S rRNA genes, and the quantification of ergosterol (active fungal biomass) respectively. The experiment was replicated in microcosms with non-sterilized soil. In this case, the bacterial and fungal contribution to oxalate degradation was evaluated by treatments with specific biocides (cycloheximide and bronopol). Results showed that the autochthonous microflora oxidized calcium oxalate and induced a significant soil alkalinization. Moreover, data confirmed the results from the model soil showing that bacteria are essentially responsible for the pH shift, but require the presence of fungi for their oxalotrophic activity. The combined results highlight that the interaction between bacteria and fungi is essential to drive metabolic processes in complex environments such as soil.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Biologically induced accumulations of CaCO3 in orthox soils of Biga, Ivory Coast
    (2005) ;
    Braissant, Olivier
    ;
    Dupraz, Christophe
    ;
    ;
    Biologically induced accumulations of calcium carbonate have been found inside orthox soils, under and around the native iroko tree Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) in Biga (Ivory Coast). The nature of these accumulations and their origin were studied in two soil profiles, directly under the tree and at a distance of 30 cm from the trunk. Microscale forms of CaCO3 include: (1) wood pseudomorphic structures such as parenchyma cells, cellulose fibers, and calcitic vessel infillings; (2) three types of rhombohedra; and (3) needle fiber calcite (NFC). In addition, large scale blocks exhibit three types of textures: (1) micritic calcite, which seems to be the original material; (2) light-colored sparite in moldic voids; and (3) asymmetrical radiaxial laminated fibrous cement. Some micritic aggregates and hemi-spherulites (vaterite) were found in the sap on the trunk as well as in soils on silica grains and the wood itself. The mineralogy of all these carbonate forms is mainly a stoichiometric calcite or a moderately enriched Mg calcite. However, some samples contain monohydrocalcite, as well as two polymorphs of calcium oxalate (weddellite and whewellite). Calcite precipitation is facilitated by the oxidation of oxalate by soil bacteria that contributes to the increase in pH in Biga soils. This is in contrast to conventional orthox soils. Therefore, three conditions are necessary for biologically induced precipitation of calcium carbonate in orthox soils associated with iroko trees: the presence of a large amount of oxalate (originating from the tree and fungi), the existence of an oxalotrophic flora for oxalate oxidation into carbonate, and a dry season.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Biologically induced mineralization in the tree Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) : its causes and consequences to the environment
    Iroko trees (Milicia excelsa) in Ivory Coast and Cameroon are unusual because of their highly biomineralized tissues, which can virtually transform the trunk into stone. Oxalic acid (C2O4H2) and metal-oxalate play important roles in their ecosystems. In this study, the various forms of oxalate and carbonate mineralization reactions are investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Calcium oxalate monohydrate is associated with stem, bark and root tissues, whereas calcium oxalate dihydrate is found with wood rot fungi in soils, as well as in decaying wood. Laboratory cultures show that many soil bacteria are able to oxidize calcium oxalate rapidly, resulting in an increase in solution pH. In terms of M. excelsa, these transformations lead to the precipitation of calcium carbonate, not only within the wood tissue, but also within the litter and soil. We calculate that c. 500 kg of inorganic carbon is accumulated inside an 80-year-old tree, and c. 1000 kg is associated with its surrounding soil. Crucially, the fixation of atmospheric CO2 during tree photosynthesis, and its ultimate transformation into calcite, potentially represents a long-term carbon sink, because inorganic carbon has a longer residence time than organic carbon. Considering that calcium oxalate biosynthesis is widespread in the plant and fungal kingdoms, the biomineralization displayed by M. excelsa may be an extremely common phenomena.